Noida Beheading: What Pushed the Man Over the Edge?

The Noida beheading case has taken a disturbing turn as investigators uncover the emotional, psychological, and interpersonal conflicts that may have contributed to the killing of 33-year-old Preeti. Police say the accused, 32-year-old Monu Singh, admitted to long-standing stress, relationship pressure, and fear for his family’s safety, factors that appear to have intensified his mental strain in the months leading up to the incident.

Discovery of the Body and Start of the Investigation

Police found a headless female body in a drain near the Noida–Greater Noida Expressway. Because the victim’s identity was not immediately clear, the case created significant anxiety in the community.
Later, the woman was confirmed to be Preeti, a resident of Noida Sector 39 who lived with her two children after separating from her husband.

A Relationship Marked by Emotional Strain

According to officers, Singh and Preeti had been in an intimate relationship for more than two and a half years. From a psychological perspective, this relationship appeared to involve emotional dependency, power imbalance, and unresolved personal conflicts, which can significantly affect a person’s mental functioning.

Singh, who is married and has two daughters, told police he was under constant emotional pressure as he tried to manage two parallel relationships. Such situations often lead to:

Chronic stress
Anxiety
Fear of social exposure
Guilt and impaired decision-making

These factors, according to experts, can heighten impulsive behaviour and distort judgment, although they never justify violence.

Accused Claims Financial and Personal Threats

Singh alleged that Preeti pressured him to leave his wife, marry her, and return ₹2 lakh she had loaned him. He further claimed she threatened to involve his daughters in the flesh trade if he did not comply.
Whether these claims are true or not is still under investigation, but threats, real or perceived, can generate intense psychological fear. In many cases, fear involving one’s children can trigger extreme emotional reactions, especially in individuals already experiencing relationship-related stress.

Crime Took Place During a Heated Argument

Police say Singh confessed that he planned to harm Preeti and called her out under the pretext of a meeting. While eating inside a bus, the two began arguing. Emotional conflicts, especially in strained relationships, are known to trigger acute stress reactions, where a person may feel overwhelmed, threatened, or unable to think rationally.
During this argument, Singh took out a hidden butcher’s knife and attacked Preeti, eventually severing her neck and hands. According to forensic and behavioural experts, such extreme violence often reflects loss of emotional control, built-up anger, and panic rather than a single moment of rage alone.

Why Relationship Pressure Can Become Dangerous

1. Emotional Overload: Long-term affairs often involve guilt, secrecy, fear of discovery, and conflict, all of which can impact judgment.

2. Perceived Threat to Family: Threats involving children, even if unverified, can activate extreme protective instincts, leading to intense emotional reactions.

3. Financial Stress: Money-related disputes significantly increase psychological strain and can worsen aggressive tendencies.

4. Lack of Healthy Conflict Resolution: When individuals do not have emotional regulation skills or do not seek help, minor disputes can escalate.

This does not excuse violence but helps explain how mental and emotional pressures build up in such cases.

Conclusion

A case has been filed against Singh for murder and destruction of evidence. Police are also examining the psychological aspects of his behaviour, the couple’s relationship dynamics, and whether Preeti’s alleged threats were genuine.
As the Noida beheading case continues, mental-health experts emphasize the importance of recognising early signs of emotional overload, relationship violence, and psychological distress both to protect individuals and prevent escalation into harm.

Source: Inputs from various media Sources

Priya Bairagi

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I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.